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Customs and Connecting at Toronto Pearson

Hi, I'm hoping someone here will be able to assist me as I try and select NY-Montreal/QC-NY flights for my family (they're flying open jaw.) On the end of the trip, they'll be flying from Quebec City to NY via Toronto. My understanding is travelers to the US actually go through customs while technically still in Canada. Am I correct in thinking then that they'll be going through US Customs in Toronto, and not Quebec City? So I should choose flights that will leave them extra time for customs between arriving in Toronto and leaving for NY? The reason I ask is because one flight option leaves 1hr 35m between flight segments, while the other leaves 3hrs 5m.

Alternatively, there's also a flight going from QC to Chicago to NY. So in that case, I'm assuming they need to build in the extra customs time before their flight in Quebec City?

Sorry if I sound very clueless. I've traveled in the US and Europe, but not to Canada, and for some reason I'm finding myself very confused!

I'm sorry I can't help you more.. I don't know if they will clear customs in Quebec or in Toronto. I'm sure someone will have the answer. But what I DO want to tell you is that you are correct in thinking you should build in more time in Toronto if that is where they will have to clear customs. I have spent over an hour in this hall , then still have to go through security too. The US hall is sometimes ( usually) very very busy. Everyone traveling on a flight to the US has to funnel through this hall. So choose the 3 hour stop over.

They will clear customs in Toronto. The QC-TO leg is considered a domestic flight. You want the flight that gives them more time in Toronto. If something happens and their flight from QC is delayed, tell them to identify themselves to one of the ground agents that will be in the Customs hall. They are usually pretty good about sending people to the front of the line if they are in danger of missing their flight.

I'm not familiar with the QC airport, so I can't help you with timing there.

There is no US Customs and Immigration pre-clearance at Québec City airport, so that would happen in Chicago. I think you would have to build in about as much transfer time there as you would for a flight through Toronto, if not more, especially if a change of terminals is needed.